Much concern has been raised recently about the flammability of several low-GWP replacement refrigerant options, such as HFO’s, lower-GWP HFC’s, and flammable natural refrigerant options, regarding the potential leakage or failure of joints in systems using these refrigerants. This paper presents the results of a study investigating the assembly, durability, and leakage rate of different types of field-made joints used in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. The focus of the project is on flame-free joining methods; in particular, three different types of joints were investigated: Press/crimp fittings, compression fittings, and flare fittings

Speaker Ron Bleche: I have been with Sporlan since 1995. It will be 24 years in April. I worked in the factory as a production worker for 6 years, was assigned to Technical Support/Applications for 11 years and have been in the field sales since May 2012. Went to Ranken Technical College at night – received HVAC 2yr certificate in 2006 and Bachelor of Science in Applied Management in 2008 (Summa Cum Laude both times). I have been an ASHRAE member since 2012

Micro-Distributed Systems: Increasing awareness of the dangers of climate change and the resulting regulations on high GWP refrigerants have created a need for natural refrigerant solutions in food retail settings. This presentation introduces the micro-distributed system architecture and how it can be used with R-290 (propane) given the current charge limit of 150 grams per refrigeration circuit. Basics on the safe use of flammable refrigerants in commercial refrigerators will be presented and the environmental impact of this type of system is compared to centralized parallel rack and distributed systems with R-404A.

Speaker Tim Anderson: Tim is currently Chief Engineer, Display Cases and Micro-Distributed Systems for Hussmann Corporation. He has 13 years of experience designing, developing, and testing refrigerated display cases operating with both synthetic and natural refrigerants. Tim currently is responsible for developing and commercializing new product platform designs and serving as a technical representative to end users of Hussmann-made equipment.

In August of 2018 the City of St. Louis became the first municipality in the region to adopt the International Code Council’s suite of 2018 building codes. In this in-depth seminar, we’ll review the key changes to the 2018 International Building Code (IBC), International Existing Building Code (IEBC), International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and International Residential Code (IRC), with an emphasis on energy efficiency. Speakers Jessica Deem, Architect at Virescent, and Gretchen Waddell Barwick, Assistant Chapter Director at Missouri Sierra Club, will:

Describe the key changes to the 2018 IBC, IEBC, IECC and IRC, with an emphasis on energy efficiency.

Review special considerations for implementing the 2018 codes in existing buildings and historic renovations.

Identify critical requirements for air-sealing the building enclosure and mandatory air-leakage testing.

Explain the local St. Louis code development process and locally adopted amendments.

Main Session: Design-Build for Green Buildings-Integrated Delivery of and Integrated Idea

Design – Build and the Standard of CareUnder which Standard? Under whose Care?

As design-build achieves a broader footprint both geographically and by project type, not only are more projects going that way, but there are more ways for that way to go. In this mix is the shifting sands upon which the “custom and practice” of the industry is based – the Standard of Care. The profession, in fact all professions, that operate under a Standard of Care recognize that what was standard at one time can be archaic and outmoded in another. This program will look at one example of a project within the context of a changing standard and some of the issues those changes can create.

Design – Green Design-Build

There are two prime objectives that have long existed in the AEC industry that are now rapidly converging – the desire for “better buildings” and the desire that projects be ‘done better’. “Green Buildings”, or sustainable and environmentally sensitive design and construction, is a project objective – it is what we ‘want’ when we are ‘done’. In order to get there, we need to improve communication and coordination across the project team to better integrate design, construction and operational decisions and solutions so that systems and building perform more efficiently. Design-Build is a project execution strategy that looks to save time and money by integrating the design and construction processes under one umbrella. Both objectives depend upon increased communication and collaboration between construction and design. This program looks at some of the benefits and potential pitfalls of the design-build execution strategy as it relates to green building performance objectives

Mitchell Swann, PE, LEED AP
Principal and Partner at MDC Systems – a risk management and forensic engineering consultancy based in Philadelphia and serving clients throughout the US and globally.Mitchell’s career includes over 30 years in the analysis, evaluation and design of complex systems across a wide range of industries and buildings types including commercial, institutional and industrial facilities with a special focus on high-tech and critical facilities.

He is Vice-Chair of the Philadelphia Energy Authority; a member of the Board of Directors for “Green Buildings United” (formerly The Delaware Valley Green Building Council) and on the Board of Directors of the Engineers’ Club of Philadelphia as well as a former President of the Club.

He has chaired and been an active member of numerous ASHRAE technical committees including:

He is a member of International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) and was a contributing author to the 1st Editions of Baseline Design Guides for Bulk Pharmaceutical Chemicals (or APIs) and Oral Solid Dosage Form Facilities.

He is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA) – Construction Forum.

And he was President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.

He is a frequent speaker both nationally and internationally and an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer since 2006. He is a regular presenter on Green Building and Sustainability issues, Design – Build Project Execution, Integrated Project Delivery and Building Energy Efficiency and has conducted programs in the UAE, India, Pakistan and Vietnam as well as New York, Chicago, Seattle, Washington DC, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

He is also a contributing author to the ASHRAE “Green Guide – The Design, Construction and Operation of Sustainable Buildings” and co-author of the ASHRAE Survival Guide to Design|Build Project Execution and the Cleanrooms Chapter of the ASHRAE Applications Handbook and the Cleanroom Design Guide.

Jessica Deem is a licensed architect and owner of Virescent, a design firm specializing in sustainably-minded historic renovations and contemporary new construction. Jessica is a native St. Louisan and city dweller. Prior to moving back to St. Louis, Jessica worked as a sustainable building consultant in Zürich, Switzerland where she secured the certification for the first LEED Platinum building in Switzerland.